Tire mounting and balancing machines

[Edv530i]

Hey guys! I was wondering what you all might know about tire machines and ballancers. I own about 20 vehicles...mainly cars but also vans and a couple mediums with 19.5's. I've looked online and found that the prices vary quite a bit...from like $1200 to like 10K. I would like to know the difference between these makes and models so I can decide which is best for me. I don't mind paying for quality but I also don't want to spend 4K for the same machines that are rebranded and sold somewhere else for $1850. Although I am not opening a tire shop I do want a durable enough units to handle my truck 19.5's and last long enough that I never have to replace them (I'm 51)!

 

[Handyfarmer]

I have an an air bearing balancer, and used it for my cars and vans for year, the local tire shop would never spin my dish rims on the one ton truck, so I would Bubble balance, them, later I started reading about balancing beads, I bought the heaviest air soft BB's, and put about 4 ot 6 oz in each tire, (truck tires), and have found them very effective, the smoothest it has ever ran, tire wise, and if mud and junk gets in the rims it self balances, I have a vacuum to **** them out when patching a tire, and put them back in (run them all my tubeless road tires), run them in the cars as well,

 

[gungatim]

I love airbeads...put 4 new tires on the vette and started driving it a few weeks ago and I used airsoft beads in all 4, smoothest ride ever...

as for machines, all I know is I love my Coats that I rebuilt. they are one of the industry standards, but I am sure there are other good brands out there. I think parts availability is key, the Chinese imports may be difficult to get seals and things when you need them.

as far as the expensive machines, I think those are geared for high volume tire shops with all the extra features you don't really need for the home.

a good used Coats rim clamp machine is hard to beat...I think you can buy them reconditioned to like new for around $3,500.

 

[A-R-K]

On the 'value' end of things, check out Greg Smith's combo's. It's Chinese made stuff, but Greg Smith generally has good support and you may have a local pickup option depending on where you live.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Tire-Changer/Combo-Specials

I have a lift, balancer, and tire changer from them. No complaints, everything works as expected.

On Ebay, you can find similar equipment for less $$, but good luck with support. Greg Smith has been around for a while so I have some confidence there.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Rim clamps are easier on mag type wheels. Also the center post type don't work on a lot of special wheels. Coats are the industry standard and have been for 50 years or so. Used to be made in Nashville Tn, don't know where they are made now. There are many different stiles of balancers you just have to choose which style will work with most of your wheels with the least amount of adapters at extra costs.

 

[bobcatdan]

As far as I know, actual Coats are USA. Coats has a value line which is basically the same machine imported. If I was buying, I'd buy a mainline Coats changer and balancer. Shop different vendors, I have been seeing a number of combo deals that amount to a couple hundred bucks over buy one, get one free.

 

[Edv530i]

Thanks fellas, the info is helpful. One of you mentioned Greg Smith...any other vendor I should look at?

Never heard of balancing beads so I will have to research them when I get a chance.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I just picked up a Coats 50x. Nicest tire machine I have ever used.
Still made in Nashville Tn
I only do motorcycles so I have no need for a digital balancer, Dyna beads are my go to.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Around here 30+ yo Coats tire changers go for ridiculous amounts of money !

If you are on a budget and most of your vehicles have steel rims AND you aren't typically doing more than 4 tire changes per day, a GOOD manual tire machine is not a bad way to go.

 

[wafrederick]

Do have to be careful with the TPMS sensors not to break them with these tire mounting machines.They are easy to break.This is one reason why I won't touch the rims with the TPMS sensors in them.

 

[Slackerzinc]

Just have to be careful where to position them, not that bad.

 

[djbmw]

After manually changing tires for several years (breaking the beads with 2x4's ... and then with a log splitter and using spoons to mount/dismount), I picked up an old Coats RC-10A for $400 Canadian a few years back. The thing had been beat on but after a few hours of love and care - she's back up and running well.

A basic rim-clamp tire machine will be able to do what you're looking to accomplish with ease. IF any of your tires, however, are Run-flats OR ultra low profile (less than 50 aspect),... you'll need to learn a few tricks and possibly buy a few add-on's (like bead holders, and possibly make yourself a bead roller).

TPMS (tire pressure monitors) are simple to work with - you just have to be a wee bit more careful and be aware of where the unit is at all times (so you don't crush it with the bead breaker, or hit it with your bar).

You WILL need a digital balancer though (and weights),... unless you plan to only use beads. Some of the older ones fall out of calibration often and you'll need to re-calibrate (or fix the issue), if you end up buying used (~$300). Make sure whichever one you get has all the cones for the different size of rim bores you have.

There's a lot of little consumables and extras you'll also need:

Scrader valve tool
New valve stems + cores
Valve stem installation tool
Valve caps
Bead lube and brush
Bead Sealer
Aluminum wheel weights (for aluminum/mag wheels)
Steel wheel weights (for steel wheels)
Wheel weight hammer (for removing/installing weights)
Tire spoons/Irons
Drop Center tool (if working on low profile/run flats with a basic machine)
Bead Roller (again, if working on low profile/run flats with a basic machine)

Either way... having a tire machine and digital balancer is night and day over a manual changer & bubble balancer - my machines have EASILY paid for themselves many times over.

 

[shockwave]

I like hunter for tire mounting and balancing used the tcs3250 for years without issues besides duck head breaks every once in awhile

 

[WhiffySpark]

Do have to be careful with the TPMS sensors not to break them with these tire mounting machines.They are easy to break.This is one reason why I won't touch the rims with the TPMS sensors in them.

Really? Just about anything made in the last 9/10 years has tpms. I think it was mandated in 07? So wtf do you put tires on lol

They are actually really simple todo. I've broke one in 10 years. And that was recently. But upon closer inspection it looked broke already so whatever lol